MSD Residential Child & Youth Care Practitioner

State of Maryland; Frederick (MD); On-site; USD 38,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits coverage

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

The State of Maryland seeks a Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioner at the Maryland School for the Deaf in Frederick. This role involves mentoring and providing support to deaf and hard of hearing students, ensuring their safety and well-being.

Responsibilities include maintaining a safe environment, offering life skills guidance, and participating in educational activities. Applicants must have relevant education and experience, including proficiency in American Sign Language.

Eligible employees will have access to health benefits and other perks.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years old with a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum one year experience working with deaf or hard of hearing youth.
• Post-secondary training in counseling, education, or child development preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe environment and ensure safety of students.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to students.
• Document and report student concerns.

Skills

Guidance for deaf youth

Emergency medical procedures

Proficiency in American Sign Language

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate's or Bachelor's degree

Job description

Introduction

Anticipated openings for the 2024-2025 School Year. The Maryland School for the Deaf (MSD) is a diverse, bilingual community partnered with families to provide an equitable and exemplary education in a nurturing, engaging, and challenging environment that encourages students to achieve personal excellence and become lifelong learners. We are looking for dedicated individuals to serve in the education of the children at MSD.

Location of Position

MSD, Frederick Campus, 101 Clarke Place, Frederick, MD 21705

Main Purpose of Job

A Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioner (RCYCP) at MSD is responsible for providing guidance to deaf and hard of hearing students by serving as a mentor and role model, offering advice and assistance with everyday life skills, and providing referrals to other staff. Employees receive general supervision from an RCYCP Supervisor or designated administrator and may be asked to work evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and other campuses. Employees may also be required to travel for events such as field trips, workshops, and recreational activities.

Position Duties

• Maintain a safe environment and ensure students’ safety at all times.
• Take responsibility for students at all times.
• Make parent or guardian and teacher contact at least once a week, or as required by supervisor.
• Inform parents of student development through telephone calls, letters, and meetings.
• Interact with students to offer guidance, discuss problems, and serve as a mentor and role model for assimilation into deaf culture.
• Teach and assist students in completing daily and weekly schedules, including homework, sleep, eating, cleanliness of living areas, and personal hygiene.
• Document and report student concerns to the RCYCP Supervisor.
• Assess emergency and crisis situations, make appropriate contacts and referrals, and provide interim emergency medical and other assistance until specialized assistance is available.
• Develop, implement, and monitor student activities.
• Maintain weekly reviews of students’ progress and developments in the dorm with the team.
• Participate in the development of educational programs and workshops.
• Supplement classroom instruction by tutoring students in academic subjects.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of students and school personnel information.
• Participate in appropriate professional development.
• Make periodic safety checks of doors and windows in student residences.
• Provide support while traveling to and from events such as extracurricular activities, workshops, and field trips.
• May be subject to call-in based on staffing needs.
• Perform other related duties.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• Must be at least 21 years old with graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
• OR At least 18 years old with possession of an Associate of Arts degree or a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience:

• One year of experience providing guidance to deaf and hard of hearing youth and assisting them with everyday life skills in a student life setting.
• Additional education from an accredited college or university can substitute for the required experience at the rate of sixty credit hours.

Desired or Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the physical, emotional, and social aspects of deafness.
• Understanding of legal and ethical issues in residential care.
• Post-secondary training in counseling, child development, or education.
• Experience at a residential school for the deaf or another residential childcare facility.
• Experience in teaching and caring for children and youth with and without disabilities.
• Possession of Maryland medication administration or equivalent certification.
• Ability to learn emergency medical procedures.
• Ability to maintain a dormitory environment conducive to positive student development.
• Ability to work harmoniously with students and other employees.
• Hold or obtain a valid driver license.

Licenses, Registrations, and Certifications

1. Employees are required to obtain and maintain RCYCP certification.
2. Employees may be assigned duties requiring operation of a motor vehicle; those assigned must possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license in the State of Maryland.
3. Employees will be trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first-aid training leading to certification, which must be kept current as a requirement of residential childcare licensure by the Maryland Department of Human Services.

Special Requirements

1. Proficiency in American Sign Language and written English.
2. Pass a medical examination and an annual tuberculosis screening as required by Maryland Department of Human Services residential childcare licensure.
3. Subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations 17.04.09.
4. Required to apply for a criminal background check per Family Law Article, Section 5‑551.
5. Obtain Residential Children and Youth Care Practitioner certification within 180 days of hiring and maintain it.
6. Complete at least 40 hours of Department of Human Service training annually and 20 hours of Continuing Education every two years for RCYCP certification.
7. Provide three letters of recommendation.

Bargaining Unit Status

In accordance with AFSCME Article 44, all positions advertised as contractual are temporary assignments. Such assignments may include, but are not limited to, short-term grants, defined temporary projects lasting 24 months or less, emergency basis appointments for 12 months or less, retirees from State service, and positions less than 50% full-time equivalent (FTE).

Benefits

Contractual employees who work 30 or more hours a week (or on average 130 hours per month) may be eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents. The State of Maryland subsidizes the remaining 75% of the cost; employees pay 25% of premiums for medical and prescription coverage, including any eligible dependents. Employees may elect to enroll in dental coverage, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and life insurance, but will be responsible for the full premium. Leave may be granted to a contractual employee who has worked 120 days in a 12 month period. This leave accrues at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, not to exceed 40 hours per calendar year.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

As an equal opportunity employer, MSD is committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees who reflect the State's diversity. Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.